Chilly Chili Challenge at the Lakeside Winter Festival

Chilly Chili Challenge

The annual Lakeside Winter Festival at Ontario Beach Park and the Port of Rochester will feature the Chilly Chili Challenge. Chili makers from all around the region cook up their special chili concoctions to feed to festival goers and vie for the coveted "Best Chili in Rochester" title. The Challenge—now in its 21st year, attracts contestants from well-known local restaurants, caterers and food service operators as well as amateurs, who cook and serve over 8,000 sample-sized portions of chili during the festival.

Contestants are judged on recipe creativity as well as presentation in the professional, amateur and “people’s choice” categories and awarded cash prizes and trophies. Vegetarian chili is also welcomed and encouraged. Non-profit organizations and individuals are also invited to compete, but must have access to a commercial kitchen and obtain a Temporary Food Service Permit from the Monroe County Health Department.

The cook-off will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 1 to 4:30 p.m., inside the Port of Rochester Terminal.